Pool-ball frame



(N0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. A. SWEET. POOL BALL FRAME.

No. 464,745. Patented Dec. 8, 1891.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR (No Model.) Y I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. A. SWEET. POOL BALL FRAME;

Patented De0.8,1891.

WITNESSES: W INVENTOR $4 4, @MM \Xaxq 1 smex Q fg g BY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM A. SWVEET, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

POOL-BALL FRAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 464,745, dated December 8, 1891. Application filed May 11 1891. Serial No. 392.408- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. SWEET, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of NewYork, have invented new and usefullmprovements in Frames forPool-Balls, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to devices used in connection with the game of pyramid pool as played upon a billiard-table.

My object is to produce a frame for setting up-the balls in the pyramid, which will force all of the balls in contact with each other, and which is adapted to be enlarged prior to its removal from around the balls, and which will leave all of the balls set up tight,and in which the contact of the balls with the side bars is reduced to a minimum, so that the instant the frame is lifted its side bars are out of engagement with the balls, and in which a movable .presser-bar is mounted in two of the sidebars and adapted to reciprocate therein, either with or without a spring or springs, to force the balls together or release the frame from them.

My invention consists in the several novel features of construction and operation hereinafter described, and which are specifically set forth in the claims hereunto annexed.

It is constructed as follows, reference be ing had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a top plan. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of one of the stationary side bars. Fig. a is a like section of the movable presser-bar. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of this latter bar. Fig. 6 is a top plan of the frame having its side arms extended rearwardly and connected at their ends, the connecting-bar being also provided with a pointer to aid in setting up. Figs. 7 and 8 are details of the detachable connection between the extensions of the side bars and the bars themselves. Fig. 9 isa top plan of the frame and extension side bars as set up and resting against the rail of the billiardtable. Fig. 10 is a detail.

The frame is of the usual equilateral-triangular form, comprising the side bars a a, rigidly united at b in front and at the rear to the cross-rail c. Mortises d are cut through the side bars adjacent to their rear ends, in which the tenons 6 upon the ends of the movable presser-loar m fit loosely, said bar being freely movable forward or back either with or without the use of the springs d, shown hehind the tenons. This presser-bar is re-enforced by the rib m against springing or warping out of shape, and so that its inner face will always bear against the balls in the rear row of the pyramid when the balls are in the frame. When the springs are used, they act to force the presser-bar against the rear balls and to force them all into close contact and to hold them there. I

To remove the frame from the pyramid, I force the presser-bar back by pressure upon the projecting tenons and raise it from the balls, leaving them all in close contact. WVhen no springs are used, I force the presser-bar forward by hand, and when the pyramid is formed retract it by backward pressure upon said tenons. A

The inner faces of the side bars and presserbar are beveled substantially as shown, so that only the apex of the angle bears against the balls, and whetherlegs n are used or not said apex issubstantially in line with the centers of the balls horizontally, and so that when this minute contact is destroyed by the slight raising of the frame it is released from them.

The frame can be used either side uppermost when the legs project above and below, as shown. By the use of legs the wear of the cloth by the sliding of the frame thereon is reduced to the minimum.

In Fig. 6 I show the side bars formed with removable extensions a, the rear ends of which are connected by the cross-rail e',which is also provided with a central pointer e", such extensions being of such length that when the rail 6' is placed against the cushion the front end of the frame will bring the front ball on the spot,the pointer a being in line with the diamond in the cushion-rail of the table.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I show a detachable connection between the frame and the siderail extensions, consisting in mortises cut in the rear corners of the frame, heads or angular tenons a. upon the ends of said extensions fitting into said mortises, and retaining springs or catches a, secured to the frame and bearing against said heads.

5 It will be apparent that this frame can be used with a set of balls two inches in diame-.

ter as readily as with a set which are two and a quarter inches, and also that when springs are used behind the presser-bar the adj ustxo ment to the balls is automatic.

\Vhatl claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A triangular frame consisting of side bars substantially triangular in cross-section and I 5 a movable presser-bar of similar cross-section loosely mounted in the side bars.

2. Atriangular frame consisting of side bars I WILLIAM-A. SWEET.

In presence of- HOWAR P. DENISON, O. B. KINNE. 

